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Oleander (Poison Garden #1)
Oleander (Poison Garden #1)
Jennifer Allis Provost | 2022 | Paranormal, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
OLEANDER is the first book in the new Poison Garden series. I did have to double-check it was the first book though, as I kept feeling as though I had missed something. Saying that, the concept of the world - with witches, seers, and shepherds - was explained brilliantly, giving me the hierarchies of said sections without giving it as an info dump.

This is first and foremost a mystery that just happens to be set in a world where magic exists and the main culprits somehow happen to be connected to magic. I won't say anymore as I don't give out spoilers.

Eli is not only confused about her role in the seer community but also about which man she likes. Obviously, as a reader, I had my own preference but it took her quite some time to figure out which one she liked and, even then, it was because of someone else telling her who he was.

If you like character-led paranormal mystery, with a slow-burn romance simmering in the background, then this may be the book for you! I enjoyed it; I'm just not sure if I will continue with the series.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Crave (Exiled #2)
Crave (Exiled #2)
Victoria Danann | 2016 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the second book in the Exiled series, and it was with trepidation that I started to read it. I had assumed (correctly) that we would start Crave's tale with the scene at the end of book 1, and I REALLY didn't want my heart mangled again from the first few pages. Well, I was out of luck with that, because immediately I was drawn back into the world of the Exiled and was traumatised by Carnal's death all over again! However, this time, we also viewed it from Crave's perspective, so we know what he was thinking.

Crave has been tortured for many years and it has fractured his mind (understandably). It remains to be seen if he will recover - both physically and mentally - enough to regain his place in the Exiled community and as Dandy's Promise. Normally, this would almost be guaranteed, but knowing how Victoria Danann likes to keep you on tenterhooks, you can be sure of nothing!

Exceedingly well written, with in-depth characters and situations, this is guaranteed to satisfy. With a MAHOOSIVE romantic gesture that had me in tears, this is everything you could wish for in a Paranormal Romance. Looking forward to Charming's story. Highly recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 20, 2016
  
Hardened Hearts
Hardened Hearts
Theresa Braun | 2017 | Horror, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
VERY DIFFERENT!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this collection.

Most of the books I read these days have romance of some description in them. And inevitably, there will be a Happy Ever After.

So, it makes to change to read a collection of books that, while following the romance theme, there ain't no hearts and flowers, there ain't no Happy Ever After either. Because, just as much as falling in love can be the best thing that happens to you, it can also be the worst.

I didn't read all the stories here, about half I read. The ones I did read were very well written, in various ways from first and third person, and in past and present tense. Some about normal everyday people, some paranormal, some scary, and some were just plain weird. There was one book, that I could not read, that is written in the second person, as in YOU. Very odd.

But the one that stuck with me is possibly the shortest one here. Its only maybe 4 pages, but it proper had me bawling my eyes out!

It Breaks My Heart To Watch You Rot, by Somer Canon, 4 pages but 5 full stars!

It tells the story of a woman whose husband (partner, lover, it matters not) has clearly lost his mind but she still visits, still tells him the car is his, that SHE is his. She takes him out, every Saturday, as he used to do himself. And then she gets the call he is gone. No names are mentioned, just he/she and him/her, but it gets the point across.

"Love didn't provide the real happy ending. There is no such thing between two lovers such as them."

If you want something a little (and a LOT) different, this one will be for you. If you are feeling very anti-Valentine's, again, one for you.

Just don't expect Cupid's Bow to be anywhere around.

For the ten books that I read, 4 stars overall, with 5 Stars for the book mentioned.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**